Local leaders of the BNP have issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the removal of Principal Abdur Razzaq and Demonstrator Aleya Khatun Hira of Daokandi Government University College in Durgapur upazila, Rajshahi, following a clash at the institution on 23 April.
The ultimatum was announced at a press conference held on Saturday at a restaurant in the city’s Saheb Bazar Zero Point area. The event was organised under the banner of “political and social leaders of the Durgapur Daokandi area”.
Local BNP leaders also called for a neutral investigation.
Those present at the press conference included local Tafsirul Qur’an Mahfil chairperson Abdus Samad, expelled vice-president of Joynagar Union BNP Akbar Ali, Union Krishak Dal president Joynal Abedin, BNP ward president Yuzdar Ali, and former president Afaz Uddin.
Speakers at the press conference alleged that the 23 April incident had been partially and inaccurately reported in sections of the media, damaging their reputation. They said they entered the college campus at around 11:00am on the day of the incident and insisted that no official restrictions, including Section 144, were in force at the time.
Abdus Samad, president of Tafsirul Qur’an Mahfil (a religious gathering), rejected allegations of extortion against them. “We have been portrayed as extortionists, which is entirely baseless,” he said. He accused Demonstrator Aleya Khatun Hira of initiating the violence when they sought accountability over alleged irregularities and corruption at the college.
Hira, however, gave a different account, alleging that the group had repeatedly come to the college demanding financial records as part of attempts to extract money. She claimed she was attacked after opposing such demands and supporting the principal.
Principal Abdur Razzaq also alleged that various BNP groups had been demanding money from him since he assumed office four months ago, and that the dispute escalated after he refused to comply.
The situation has been further complicated by internal party developments. Akbar Ali, a local BNP leader recently expelled by the party’s central committee, denied any involvement in the incident. He said he was not present at the scene during the incident and did not appear in any video footage, attributing his expulsion to misinformation circulated on social media.
Police said they had anticipated potential unrest and were present at the college in advance.
Rafiqul Islam, inspector (Investigation) at Durgapur Police Station, said officers attempted to restrain both sides, but some people forcibly entered the campus and carried out assault and vandalism. He added that legal action would be taken if formal complaints are filed.
